For your first competition, your main goal should be first and foremost to total. Meets usually last at least 6 hours and learning how to pace yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally is a task in and of itself.

For your first competition, your main goal should be first and foremost to total. Meets usually last at least 6 hours and learning how to pace yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally is a task in and of itself.

Awesome. I can't tell you how excited I am. Thanks for the input; how do you suggest dealing with the physical/mental/emotional fatigue?

You appear to be an "advanced" lifter for your weight range, but not "elite". That, to me, is a good place to start! Don't take that as criticism from me either, because I weigh a lot more and have lifts that are similar or only slightly stronger and my charts show me that I'm "intermediate" and close to being "advanced" on my lifts - where as you've passed advanced.

I don't have any powerlifting experience, but I'd expect there are freaks out there and I wouldn't be surprised if you come across some, depending on your area and the attendance. I wouldn't let that bother you, this is your first show and as was mentioned, you should aim for your own goals and continue to improve.

You asked for standards, so this is the link most people seem to come up with when thinking about these types of things: http://www.exrx.net/Testing/WeightLi...Standards.html You appear to be an "advanced" lifter for your weight range, but not "elite". That, to me, is a good place to start! Don't take that as criticism from me either, because I weigh a lot more and have lifts that are similar or only slightly stronger and my charts show me that I'm "intermediate" and close to being "advanced" on my lifts - where as you've passed advanced. I don't have any powerlifting experience, but I'd expect there are freaks out there and I wouldn't be surprised if you come across some, depending on your area and the attendance. I wouldn't let that bother you, this is your first show and as was mentioned, you should aim for your own goals and continue to improve. Good luck!

For me, it is tough asking this type of question because on one hand I don't really care - I just want to be healthy and push myself constantly. On the other hand, I don't want to look like I am trying to brag or boost my ego, etc., and I don't want to try to let my ego dictate the weight I use. In other words, the thought of "I did normally bench 225 for reps, maybe I should try 2XX this time, because then I would be 'advanced'!" is dangerous and doesn't help anyone.

This question, however, helps one prepare and lets them know what is possible as well as where you are and where you could be going. It is a question that has been interesting to me lately. It is interesting how some standards are a shot to the ego, some are a boost to the ego, and both sides seem to provide different motivation.